Love for a Nation

Laugh and dance while the sun is still up, for it will set in a fiery blaze. And when the day is over, there is no time for regret. So live, live in joy, and when all is set and done. Hope you smile and say, regret has never passed my mind.
- Lyra & Alice....
How do you love someone who has seen centuries of time pass? Every country knows what loss is, and most gave up on love... Can two musicians change that?
(Hetalia Fanfic!)

1. Song of Joy & Sorrow

“Ready?” She claps softly while making an excited smile, continuing to rub her palms together in anxiety.

“Hell no Alice, why did you talk me into this? How did you talk me into this?”

“Umm, well we’ve been training for a year now… why didn’t you back out then?” She arches her eyebrow while tilting her head, her red-tipped brown hair flowing way past her shoulders. Blue eyes looking at her anxious friend with disdain.

“Must’ve been that one time in my life I had gotten drunk…” Lyra groans in frustration, nervously tuning her violin. She runs a hand through her hair, short, cropped to her chin line. Blowing her side bang out of her eyes and tugging her grey skinny jeans to rest comfortably on her hips. “Does my shirt look wrinkled?”

Alice glances over at her friends black shirt, white letters in the shape of a violin spelling out James. Ruffles playing out at the end. “No, you look just fine. Calm down.” But she quickly glances down at her own outfit. A knee-length black dress, with multiple white stripes going across and thick velvet pink straps holding it together on her almost bare back.

The sudden roar of applause and cheering jar them to attention. Lyra instinctively setting her violin to her chin, the bow poised over the strings. Alice does the same but on piano keys, and adjusts the microphone one last time.

“Ladies and Gents! Welcome your hosts once more, Arthur Kirkland and Alfred F. Jones!” More clapping ensued and died out as one began to speak, with a prominent English accent.

“Well, what an unbelievable night! So many have come from around the world to show their incredible talents!” He smiles radiantly, genuinely excited. His blonde hair seemingly so messy and tousled, but with a neat flair. And sharp green eyes.

“Don’t finish up so quickly Arthur, there still be one more contestant! Alice Riya and Lyra Nyce, rocking the piano and violin!” The dirty blonde pumped his fist in the air, blue eyes shining with enthusiasm, too much enthusiasm.

After a sigh at Alfred’s grammar, the English man signaled for the curtain to draw. Lights cascaded upon the girls, and at Alfred’s rolling hand motion, began to play.

It seemed to be a sad song, Lyra slowly easing the low and high tones, shortly followed by a response, a twinkling sound under toned by the seemingly depressed violin. It seemed to be a conversation, the violin being melancholy while the piano tried to cheer its friend up. It went on like this for the first minute, then a lull in the music. Then Alice began to sing.

Her voice, high and tranquil, belted out the words as the violin sped up, playing happier notes. The piano slowed down just a bit, playing lower notes to harmonize with the stringed instrument. And the song, the song seemed to fill you up with a sense of joy, and yet, a sorrow. For the words were of the rapid speed of life, to seize joy and hold on. Laugh and dance while the sun is still up, for it will set in a fiery blaze. And when the day is over, there is no time for regret. So live, live in joy, and when all is set and done. Hope you smile and say, regret has never passed my mind.

“Amazing!” Alfred joined in with the crowd, clapping wildly, while Arthur pretended not to be crying. Some brave individuals stood up and cheered even more. Starting a standing ovation for Alice and Lyra.

“Well girls, seems you have a great chance to win the two year contract! What a song!”

“Give it up for Alice and Lyra!!!” And amidst all the adoration and clapping, both girls stood with smiles. One giggling to her heart’s delight, the other simply soaking it all in. Not believing so many loved the song they wrote, that multitudes would raise their voices to appreciate something they had done. Lyra closed her eyes.